Kolkata: Odisha ace sprinter Dutee Chand will be conferred with the Arjuna award on the occasion of the Nation Sports Day on August 29. However, despite the recognition, Dutee’s focus is on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics which has been deferred to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am feeling very proud because I am getting such a big award. Every sportsperson dreams of winning big awards. Not only is me but Odisha also feeling proud of my achievement,” Dutee said while speaking exclusively to Sportslight Media.
Onward and upward! #arjunaaward pic.twitter.com/saC1LOBS6V
— Dutee Chand (@DuteeChand) August 21, 2020
“I could have got this award much earlier but despite due to some issues it couldn’t happen. This time the state government sent my application much earlier. Our Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and others have been congratulating me and it feels so nice.”
The double 2018 Asian Games silver medallist also stated that winning the award is giving her extra motivation to practice harder for the Olympics next year. “My focus is always on training and competition. If I do good in competitions I get the result. Now that I am winning the Arjuna award, this is motivating me a lot.”
Congratulate ace sprinter from #Odisha, Dutee Chand on being recommended to receive prestigious Arjuna Award. Odisha is proud of your achievement.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 21, 2020
However, due to the pandemic, many sportspersons have been confined to their homes. Dutee meanwhile has started training at the Kalinga Stadium on her own besides the online sessions with her coach Nagapuri Ramesh. “Congratulate ace sprinter from #Odisha, Dutee Chand on being recommended to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. Odisha is proud of your achievement,” Patnaik tweeted.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given every year to the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson over a period of four years, whereas Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years.
